Changeable electric sign



Dec. 28, 1943. GHlGGlNp 2,337,988

'CHANGEABLE ELECTRIC S IGN Filed Nov. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYL. GHIGG INI CHANGEABLE ELECTRIC SIGN Filed Nov. '9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR L ore/12o Ghiqyini Y M J04, ATTORNEY Dec. 28, 1943. GH|GG|NI2,337,988

CHANGEABLE ELECTRIC SIGN Filed NOV. 9, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I PI 3 v uv \Q Q R I lNVENTOR .-L Lorenzo Shay/271' (x BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec.28, 1943' oFFicn cnsnoasnna memo SIGN Lorenzo Ghiggini, Brooklyn, N. Y.Application November 9, 1940, sci-m No. seam 11 Claims. (or. 177-346)This invention relates to changeable electric signs. It is an object toprovide an arrangement 7 or set of neon gas electric tubes that willmake letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation marks, 01' otherdesired symbols by lighting certain of the tubes. Also a battery of sucharrangements may be used, with the arrangements set side by side tooutline all the letters of a word, phrase or sentence. For the sake ofsimplicity the term letter willbe used throughout, but it is to beunderstood that this is to be symbolic as well for numbers, desiredsymbols.

While neon gas is preferable, other gases .or

materials that are adapted to be illuminated by electricity may be usedand are to be considered equivalents in the description and claims wherethe context is applicable. The same applies to elongated tubes lightedby filaments.

Contrary to practice of the prior art, the tubes of a unit aresubstantially all connected in series, and when it is desired toilluminate some of them to form a particular letter, a template is usedwhich short circuits those tubes not suitable for the desired letter,the principal current flowing in series through those tubes only whichmust be illuminated to form said letter. The templates used are platesof insulating material, as of wood, having conducting means along anedge, said means being connected or bridged by wires on the face of thetemplate in such order that they will short circuit predetermined tubes.Each unit has a drum for holdin a. plurality of templates, preferablyradially such as are thepaddles of a paddle wheel. The radially outwardedges of the templates are where the conducting means are located. Thedrums of the several units are mounted on a common shaft which is drivenby an electric motor.

The series connected tubes are provided with taps between adjacenttubes, which taps are entinue to rotate until the cycle for which thesign was prepared is completed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon further study ofthe description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sign showing two units. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of a two unit sign, a

portion of the tube supporting plate being broken punctuation marks orother gaged by the contacts on the templates-in a predetermined order asthe drums are intermittently rotated.

A feature of the present invention is the mechanism which is provided toensure the lighting of all the letters in the row or battery at the sametime and their simultaneous quenching after a predetermined interval.This is accomplished, in the particular form illustrated, by providingthe drum shaft with a toothed member which closes and opens the circuitthrough all the units at the same time, the pitch of the teethcorresponding to the spacing or pitch of the templates in the drums.This mechanism also prevents undue sparking at the various contacts.

Automatic means are provided so that when it is desired to end theoperation 01' the Sign, a switch is opened manually, but the drumsconaway to show the mechanism behind.

Fig.3 is a partial section taken to a somewhat,

larger scale along the line 3-3 on Figs. 1 and 2, the supporting platebeing broken oil about at the top of the drum.

Fig. 4 is a partial section, to the same scale as Fig. 3, taken alongthe line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partial section, to the same scale as Fig. 3, taken alongthe line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a partial section to a considerably larger scale taken alongthe line 6-6 of Fig. 1 with only one template shown in the drum.

Fig. 7 is a partial section to the same scale as Fig. 6, taken along theline 'l-I of Fig. 1, no conducting means being shown on the templates.

Fig. 8 is a wire diagram for a sign with two units.

Fig. 9 is a partial section to a large scale taken along the line 9--9of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a section to a large scale through a template along the lineiii-I0 of Fig. 8, the contacts being omitted, and

Fig. 11 is a view of the drum spacing member by itself taken to the samescale as Fig. 7.

The wiring is omitted from Figs. 1-7.

, Upon base 33 are mounted uprights 34, 35 an 36 supporting bearings inwhich drum shaft'3'l is mounted. In the particular embodimentillustrated, two drums are shown mounted on shaft 31; they are drums 38and. It will be, of course, understood that a larger number of drumswill be used with a set of tubes l-32 corresponding to each drum, buttwo drums are suflicient to illustrate the invention. The tubes in theparticular embodiment shown are neon gas tubes. In practice, a sumcientnumber of units will be used to spell out words, phrases and sentencesas desired.

Each drum comprises a pair of intermediate spacing members 40, Figs. 6and 11, and a pair of end members 4i joined together by rods 42 andspaced by sleeves 45 mounted on said rods. Each end member 4! has a hub43 which is fixed to drum shaft 31. Intermediate members 40 are providedwith a plurality of radial slots 44, end members 4| having correspondingslots. The slots in the end members are rectangular holes, Fig. 3. Theslots of the end members and intermediate members are in alignment, sothat a template 46 may be inserted into each row of slots, there beingfour slots in a row. Each template 48, has a tongue 4'! at each end,Figs. 3, 6 and 8, said tongues fitting into the slots or holes in endmembers 4I. End members 4I also have slots which give rise to spokes 48,Figs. 3 and '7, said end members being of thin resilient metal. Wheninserting a template 46 in a drum, the spokes 48 in which the templateis to be inser ted are sprung outward so that tongues 41 can be insertedinto the openings in the spokes provided for them@ The intermediateportion of each template enters a slot 44 in each spacing member 40. Aplurality of templates are inserted in the drumsto produce the desiredsuccessive letters, each template when moved into engagement withcertain of the contacts to 320 causing energization of certain of tubesI to 32 to produce a predetermined letter as will be explained.

Each template 46, one of which is shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 8, hasmounted thereon conducting means such as shown at 49 and 58. Eachconducting means bridges the gap between a pair of contacts, asconducting means 49 is shown connecting contacts I20 and I10 andconducting means 50 is shown connecting contacts 200 and 82c, which aswill be explained energizes or illuminates tubes I-I2 and I8-29 showingthe letter A.

Contacts Ic-32c are mounted on an insulating bar by means of screws 52.In Fig. 7, contact 390 is shown so mounted. Said contacts are springcontacts normally pressing upward against the underside of top bar 53 ofrectangular frame 54. Frame 54, which is of insulating material, ismounted on base 33. As a template 46 is rotated with its drum, Fig. 6,the conducting means, say means 50, which is looped over the radiallyoutward edge of the template, Fig; 10, moves into contact with contacts200 and 32c, so that any current flowing into contact 28c will beshunted past contacts 2 lo to 3 I0 and into contact 320. Similarlyconducting means 49 loops over the edge of the template so as to pressagainst contacts I2c and He shunting any current entering contact I2cpast contacts I3c-I6c and .into contact IIc. In general, each conductingmeans acts as a conducting bridge between a predetermined pair ofcontacts.

At the extreme left of the insulating member or template 46 at its outeredge is a lug'55 which presses down the front end of bar 56. Bar 56 ispivotally mounted on an upright 51, Fig. 3. The rear end of bar 56 comesunder bar 58, Figs. 1, 3 and 4. A spring 59 normally holds down the endof bar 58 at bar 56. The other end of bar 58 insulatively carries oneterminal of a switch 60, the other terminal of the switch beinginsulatively mounted on spring plate 6I carried by upright 62. Stop bar90 limits the downward pull of spring 59 on bar 58. 'Set screw 63adjusts the gap between said terminals. Bar 56 is also used as as acontact, contact 00, Fig. 6, a wire, not shown, being attached to saidbar, which wire connects to the bottom end of tube I, Fig. 2 and to theleft end of said tube as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8.

Tubes I-32 are mounted on a panel board 9|, each tube being bent back atits ends to pass through a hole 92 in the panel. The ends ofconsecutively numbered tubes are wired together so that the tubes areconnected in series in their A tap leads from before and after eachtube, Fig. 8, terminating in one of the contacts 00 to 320. Thus a tapfrom before tube I terminates in contact 80 and from after said tube incontact Ic, said latter tap also leads from before tube 2. Except frombefore tube I and after tube 32, each tap leads from the wire numericalorder.

ew:emae'uozgr'a 'mo o e connecting successive tubes, that is from thejunction of two tubes. See Fig. 10. Power is supplied to the series fromtransformer T, the secondary thereof being connected at one end to thetap connecting tube I and contact 00 and at the other end to the tapconnecting tube'32 and contact 320. If there were no conducting means,such as 49 and 50 on the template 46, the current from the secondarycoil of transformer T would pass through all the tubes l32 in seriesenergizing or lighting all of them. But the conducting means shunt orshort circuit certain of the tubes, as was explained before for thetemplate shown in Figs. 6 and 8, with which such tubes are shortcircuited, that the remain ing ones which will be illuminated orenergized from the letter A.

The following table lists those tubes which are illuminated to formvarious letters, numbers and symbols, those tubes not illuminated beingshort circuited by conducting means on the templates set in the drum:

Letters I-I2 and I8-28 I-5 and 5, 8, II, I4, I8, I8, 2I, 22, 23, 32I-'|, I2, I3, I4 I-5, 8, 8, III, II, I4, 23, 32 I-8, I3, I4, I8

I-I, III, II, I2, I3, I4, I8, 28 I-4, 'I-I2, I8, I9, 28 I5, 25 'I-I I,I4, 32

I-4, I'I, I8, 24 I4, I3, I4

1-4. 1-12, 24, 2s I-4, 'I-I2, IT, 25 I-I4 I-9, I8, 19,20 I-I4, 38 I-8,I1, I8, I9, 20 3-5, ID-I4, I8, I9, 28 5, 5, I5, 25 I-4, 'I-I4 21 I5, I1,24 and 28 I5, 24, 25 5, 5, I3, I4, I6, 24.

Numbers eas letterI 4 5 8, I3, I4, I6, I9, 22, 23 L4, 5, 8, II,I4,I8,2I,22,23,32 I I3, I4,38 I, 3, 4, 5, ll, I4, I8, I9, 2i, 32 I4, I0,I I, I2, I3, I4 4-I2 ll4, I8, I9,28 3-I2, I8, I9, 28 Same as letter 0Symbols Same as S plus I5 and 25 Same as C plus I5 and 25 4, 5,8, I5,I9, 22 and 23 I Same as I plus 3| Comma 29 Apostrophe 28.

The primary coil of transformer T is in circuit with the source ofsupply, wire 64 leading from one side of the source to Junction A ofbranch circuit 65 and branch circuit 66. Branch circuit 65 leads fromjunction A through switches 61, 68, the primary coil of transformer T.switch 68 to tive disc 15 which carries a .upright 84 has a lug 85,

wheel 82 as it rotates.

asa'mas Junction B, where one branch goes back to the other side 8| ofthe source through switch 12 and the other branch goes back to saidlatter side of the source through switch 1|. Branch circuit 88 leadsfrom junction A to motor M, back from the motor through switch 18 tojunction B and back to source 8| from junction B as described above.-From junctions C and D current is supplied to the primary of the righthand unit transformer T2. A switch 13 is provided in the primary circuitof transformer T2 which functions in manner similar to switch 88. Theenergization of the tubes by the making of contacts for the right handunit is controlled by templates 46 set in drum 38, Figs. l and 2.

Shaft 31 is driven by motor M through reducing gear unit 14 and gears 88and 88. The left end of shaft 31 has mounted thereon an insulataperedlug18. Lug 18 at a certain point in its revolution engages and pushes backthe end of piyotally mounted lever 11 against the pressure of spring 18.One

contact of switch 1| is mounted on lever 11 and the other contact ofsaid switch is mounted on support 18. Normally switch 1| is held closedby spring 18, so that only once in the revolution of shaft 31 is switch1| opened by lug 16. When switch 1| is opened, motor M is stopped ifmanually operated switch 12should be open at the time. If manuallyoperated switch 12 is closed, motor M will continue to rotate even ifswitch 1| is opened by lug 18, because current will flow back from themotor to junction'B, and then through closed switch 12 to source 8|. v

Fixed toward the right end of shaft 31 is wheel 82 having cam shapedteeth on its periphery. A switch arm 83, which is pivotally. mounted onFig. 5, at its outer end which is adapted to be engaged by the teeth ofSpring 88 normally pulls down on the end of switch arm 83 to which it isattached forcing lug 85 up against the teeth of wheel 82. A stop 81 isprovided on upright 84 to limit the downward motion of the spring end ofarm 83. One terminal'of switch 88 is mounted on spring arm 88 while theother terminal is mounted on arm 83. The number of teeth on wheel 82 isequal to the number of spokes 48 in the end members 4| of drums 38 and38, the spokes 48 of the two drums being in phase with each other. Thereis a template 48 for each pair of spokes of the pair of end members 4|of each drum. Switch 88 is closed by a tooth on wheel 82 just after theconducting means on a template 48, such as means 48 and 88, comes intoengagement with its contacts, said switch being allowed to open suddenlyJust before the conducting mean moves outof engagement with itscontacts.

Slots are provided in base'33, one of said slots being designated at 88,Fig. 1, to connect the wires, not shown, from contacts 80 to 320 totubes l-32.

To operate the machine,-templates 48 are placed in drums 38 and 38 withsuch conducting means on them to select predetermined letters in a,predetermined succession. Manually operated switches 81, 18 and areclosed. This causes motor M to turn shaft 31 with its drums. As atemplate 48 reaches the contacts, certain pairs of them are bridged bythe conducting means to short circuit certain of the tubes of each ofthe setsof tubes. At the same time the contacts are bridged, switches 88and 13 are closed so that soon after, when switch 88 is closed by wheel82,

the current is caused to flow through the selected tubes to energize andilluminate them. Just beto make the set up for a given cycle .plate 48in drum 38 and switch 13 fore the conducting means leaves the contacts,-

switch 88 is allowed to open. darkening the tubes previouslydeenergizing and illuminated. As

motor M continues to rotate, the next template for each drum is broughtinto cycle of operations is repeated. When it is desired to stop theoperation of the sign, manually operated switch 12 is opened, but if lug18 has not reached switch arm or lever 11, switch 1| is closed and themotor will continue to run until said latter switch is opened by lug 18.Thus even if switch 12 is opened to stop the sign, the latter willcontinue to operate until its cycle of letters is completed.

Switch 81, which is manually operated, when opened disconnects theprimary of both transformers so that all contacts 80 to 32c may be deadand the tubes deenerglzed, when the templates are inserted in the drums.Switch 12 is not turned off at this time to permit the motor to revolvewhile inserting templates in the drums of letters. Switch 88 is operatedby each individual temposition and the each individual template 48 indrum 38. When lug 55 on a template-closes either switch 88 or 13, theletter selected by the template may light because the primary of itscorresponding transformer has the circuit closed through it. If switches88 and 13 were not provided, each set of tubes |-32 would be illuminatedeven when not selected'by a template because said tubes are in serieswith the secondaries of the transformers. In order to prevent this,switches 88 and 13 are normally open, only being closed by lugs 55 on thtemplates 48 when thelatter engage the contacts for the selection of thetubes to form the circuits before switches-88 and 13 are opened.

These actions tend to reduce sparking. They also ensure that all lettersof the series of'units or sets be shown-simultaneously.

The motion of motoriM may be completely stopped at anytime by openingswitch 18.

Motor M is the common means or mechanism to drive all drums, andswitches 81, 88-, 18, 1| and 12 are common to all units.

I claim:

1. A, sign comprising luminous tubes in sets, each set consisting of anarrangement of tubes adapted to display'any given ones to form lettersby selective energization of the tubes, movable means for each set. forthe selective energization of the tubes of each set, the movable meansfor each set being separably mounted from the movable means of. all theother sets, a source of electricity connected to the of the tubes,individual switch mechanism for each set actuated by th movable means ofits particular set for closing the circuit through each set as selected,a common means for moving all the movable means in fixed relation toeach other and switch means operated by the common means independentlyof saidmovable means-for making and breaking the circuit simultaneouslythrough all the sets. I i

2. A sign comprising luminous tubes in sets, each set consisting of anarrangement of tubes connected in series, adapted to display any givenis operated by sets for the energization ones to form letters byselective energization, a source of electricity connected to the setsfor the energization of the tubes, taps leading off from before andafter consecutive tubes in each series, a plurality of movably mountedmembers corresponding to each set, conducting means mounted on eachmember for brid predetermined taps of its corresponding set in pairs,when the member is moved into position to have its conducting meanscontact the taps, short circuiting those tubes between the taps of apair, those tubes not short circuited being energized to form apredetermined letter, each conducting means being insulated from theothers, switch mechanism for each set actuated by each individual memberof its set when moved into position to close the circuit through its setas selected, means common to all the sets for moving said members in apredetermined order to bring their conducting means successively intocontact with the taps, a member of one set contacting the taps at thesame time as members of the other sets, and a switch mechanism common toall sets actuated by the latter means to close the circuit through theselected tubes of all the sets simultaneously each time after theconducting means have been brought into contact with the taps and tobreak the latter circuit each time before the conducting means'are movedout of contact with the taps.

3. A sign comprising luminous tubes in sets, each set consisting of anarrangement of tubes adapted to display any given ones to form lettersby selective energization of the tubes, a source of electricityconnected to the sets for the energization of the tubes, a plurality ofdrums, a drum corresponding to each set, a shaft upon which said drumsare mounted, mechanism for rotating said shaft, a plurality of templatesmounted on each drum, cach template, when rotated into a, predeterminedposition, efiecting a selection of the tubes of its set for forming aletter, and switch mechanism actuated by said shaft first closing andthen breaking the circuit through the selected tubes each timea templateis moved into said predetermined position.

4. A sign comprising luminous tubes in sets, each set consisting of anarrangement of tubes adapted to display any given ones to form lettersby selective energization of the tubes, a source of electricityconnected to the sets for the energization of the tubes, a plurality ofdrums, a drum corresponding to each set, a shaft upon which said drumsare mounted, mechanism for rotating said shaft, a plurality of templatesmounted on each drum, each template, when rotated into a predeterminedposition, effecting a selection of the tubes of its set for forming aletter, individual switch mechanism corresponding to each set, eachtemplate having a portion engaging the switch mechanism of its set forclosing the circuit through the tubes of its set when said template isrotated into said position, and switch means actuated by said shaftfirst closing and then breaking the circuit through the selected tubeseach time a template is moved into said predetermined position.

5. A sign comprising an arrangement of luminous tubes connected inseries adapted to display given ones to form letters by selectiveenergization of the'tubes, a source of electricity connected to theseries for the energization of the tubes, movablemembers for efiectingsaid selective energization, electric conductors on the members, atleast some of the members having a plurality of conductors apiece, theconductors on a member having a plurality thereof being insulated fromeach other, taps leading off from before and after consecutive tubes inthe series,

some of said conductors being formed each to extend between consecutivetaps and others being formed each to extend between non-consecutive tapsfor effecting a shunt between their taps when brought into contacttherewith, and mechanism for successively moving said members intoposition for bringing their conductors successively into contact withthe taps, whereby those tubes in the series not required to form a givenletter when a member is brought into position, have the current shuntedaround them.

6. A sign comprising an arrangement of luminous tubes adapted to displayany given ones to form letters by selective energization of the tubes, asource of electricity connected to the tubes for the energization of thetubes, a rotatably mounted drum, a, plurality of plate-like templatessubstantially radially mounted on the drum, conducting means on eachtemplate for the selective energization of the tubes, switch mechanismfor closing the circuit through the tubes as selected by the conductingmeans of each template, means on each template for effecting theactuation of the switch mechanism to close said circuit, and means forrotating the drum for causing the conducting means to eilect asuccessiveselection of the tubes and successive closing of the circuitsthrough the selected tubes for their energization.

'7. A sign comprising an arrangement of luminous tubes adapted todisplay any given ones to form letters by selective energization of thetubes, a source of electricity connected to the tubes for theenergization of the tubes, a rotatably mounted drum, a plurality ofinsulating plates substantially radially mounted on the drum,independent lengths of wire out of electrical contact with each othermounted on the plates, at least some of said plates having a pluralityof said wires on them, each end of a length oi! said wire being locatednear the radially outer edge of the plate for the energization ofcertain of the tubes, and means for rotating the drum for causing saidlengths of wire to effect a successive energization of the tubes.

8. A sign comprising an arrangement of luminous tubes connected inseries adapted to display Y any given tubes to form letters by selectiveenergization of the tubes, at source of electricity connected to theseries at its ends for the energization of the tubes, a tap leading ofifrom before and another tap leading off after consecutive tubes in theseries, a plurality of movably mount- One tube, each conductor whenbrought into contact with its predetermined taps short circuiting thetubes between said latter taps, those tubes between said numbers beingenergized because not short circuited, to form a predetermined letter,and means for moving said members in a predetermined order to bringtheir conductors into contact with the taps.

,9. A sign comprising an arrangement of lumi-' nous tubes connected inseries adapted to display 2,837,988 any given tubes to form letters byselective energization of the tubes, a source ot'electricity connectedto the series at its ends for the energization of the tubes, tapsleading oil from before and after consecutive tubes in the series, aplurality of sets of movably mounted conductors, at least some of thesets each having a plurality of conductors insulated from each other,each conductor for connecting a predetermined pair of taps, shortcircuiting those tubes between the taps o! a pair, at least one sethaving a conductor for connecting a pair of non-consecutive taps, thosetubes not' short circuited being energized to participate in theformation of a predetermined letter, and means for moving said sets ofconductors, each set as a whole, in a predetermined order to bring thesets successively into contact with the taps.

10. A sign comprising an arrangement of luminous tubes connected inseries adapted to display any given tubes to form letters by selectiveenergization of the tubes, a source of electricity connected to theseries for the energization of the tubes, taps leading oil from beforeand after consecutive tubes in the series, a plurality of movablymounted members, conductors mounted on the members, atleast some of themembers each having a plurality of conductors, each conductor forconnecting a predetermined pair of taps, short circuiting those tubesbetween the taps of a pair, at least one member havinga conductor forconnecting a pair of non-consecutive taps, those tubes not shortcircuited being energized to form a predetermined letter, the conductorson a member having a plurality thereof, being insulated from each other,and means for moving said members in a predetermined order to bringtheir conductors successively into contact with the taps. I

11. A sign comprising an arrangement of luminous tubes connected inseries adapted to display any given tubes to form letters by selectiveenergization of the tubes, a source of electricity connected to theseries for the energization of the tubes, taps leading off from beforeand after consecutive tubes in the series, a rotatably mounted drum, aplurality of plate-like templates substantially radially mounted on thedrum, a plurality of conductorsmounted on thetemplates, some of thetemplates each having a plurality of conductors, each conductor forconnecting a predetermined pair or taps, short circuiting those tubesbetween the taps of a pair, at least one template having a conductor forconnecting a. pair of non-consecutive taps, those tubes not shortcircuited being energized to form a predetermined letter, the conductorson the templates extending substantially to the radially outer edgethereof, the conductors on a template having a plurality thereof, beinginsulated from each other, and means for rotating the drum for bringingthe conductors on the templates successively into contact with the taps.

LORENZO GHIGGINL

